Nia Long Movies

Created by Jon Harmon Feldman (whose previous credits included such worthwhile weeklies as American Dreams), the semi-serious Big Shots was pigeonholed in the trade press as a "Sex and the City for guys." The series traced the activities of four upscale male friends who regularly commiserated over their lives and careers at a posh country club. The designated "moral center" of the series was James Walker (Michael Vartan), who'd become CEO of Amerimart Industries by a fluke (his boss had been killed in a freak accident just before James was to have been fired), but who was determined to be a standard bearer of integrity both in and out of the workplace -- and to tactfully ignore the fact that his wife, Stacey (Wendy Moniz), had been having an affair with his former employer. James' best buds included Brody Johns (Christopher Titus), senior vice president of Alpha Crisis Management, who had trouble "managing" his contentious spouse, Janelle (Charisma Carpenter); Karl Mixworthy (Joshua Malina), chief exec of a huge pharmaceutical conglomerate, tolerably married to Wendy (Amy Sloan) while having an affair with hyper-possessive Marla (Jessica Collins); and Duncan Collinsworth (Dylan McDermott), top man at Reveal Cosmetics, who though long divorced somehow found it difficult to resist the sexual charms of his ex-wife, Lisbeth (Paige Turco), and whose future was jeopardized by an unfortunate one-night stand with a hooker named Dontrelle (Jazzmun), who turned out to be a transsexual. Nor did Duncan's emotional entanglements end there; he also had a lot of trouble relating to his estranged 19-year-old daughter, Cameron (Peyton List), and seemed oblivious to the fact that he was worshipped by his attractive business associate Katie Graham (Nia Long). Also in the cast was Francesca P. Roberts as therapist Dr. Seaver-Filner, who was kept solvent by the repeated visits from the Walkers and the Collinsworths. Big Shots premiered on ABC on September 27, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The biggest names in show business come together to offer their opinions on one of the most inflammatory words in the English language in filmmaker Todd Williams' revealing and thought-provoking documentary. In its long and complex history, the word "nigger" has gone from a cutting and derogatory racial slur to a term of endearment frequently used by African-American youth culture. Though the word has in a sense been "taken back" by the very people that it targeted, it still has the power to anger and enrage when taken out of its new context. As a variety of celebrities including Quincy Jones, Russell Simmons, George Carlin, Damon Dash, and Bryant Gumbel offer their opinions on this polarizing word, the taboo of language is broken to reveal an ever-changing society that is constantly attempting to make sense of a dark past while simultaneously attempting to build a brighter future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Based upon an allegedly factual story featured in the paranormal reality series Sightings, this made-for-cable chiller stars Beau Bridges as Derek, a cynical TV producer. Despite his own personal skepticism concerning supernatural activity, Derek agrees to visit a supposedly haunted house in Kansas for the purposes of a television documentary. With his field director Lou (Nia Long) and prominent psychic Allen (Miguel Ferrer) in tow, Derek launches his investigation of the "bad" house. Not unexpectedly, the trio soon learns that the haunting is genuine -- and in so doing, they solve a mystery that has baffled local authorities for 100 years. Heartland Ghost made its Showtime Network debut on October 27, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Shemar Moore, Ernie Hudson and Nia Long star in this urban drama about a singing star who wants to get out of her recording contract and sign with another label. The top men at her label, however, won't hear of this and have her killed with an overdose of drugs, planting evidence that would implicate her cousin (who was also her manager) in the crime. The cousin must take it on the lam as he tries to find the identity of the real murders so her can bring them to justice and clear his own name. Former New Kids On The Block star Donnie Wahlberg appears in a supporting role. Also shown under the title Butter. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

While still recuperating from his shooting, Will (Will Smith) impulsively proposes to Lisa (Nia Long). So rattled is Lisa that she automatically refuses--then spends the rest of the episode wondering if she's done the right thing. Meanwhile, Will may never totally recover from his wound thanks to the bumbling "helpfulness" of an unusually accident-prone Hilary (Karyn Parsons). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While heading to his pre-wedding stag party, Will (Will Smith) is trapped in an elevator with Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) and Jazz (Jeff Townes). Unfortunately, the two other guys are in the middle of an argument, so Will zones out and begins to recall (as the song goes) "all the girls he's loved before." Yes, this is another Fresh Prince of Bel-Air clip show, with highlights from previous episodes and a smattering of heretofore unseen outtakes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Will (Will Smith) and Lisa (Nia Long) announce their engagement, Philip (James Avery) offers to pay for their honeymoon--provided that the couple see a relationship counselor before taking any further action. Just as Philip expects, both Will and Lisa discover that they are polar opposites in many respects, forcing them to seriously reconsider their wedding plans. At the same time, they must also put up with another couple that has shown up in the counselor's office--the eternally squabbling George and Louise Jefferson, played (as ever!) by Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford). Elsewhere, Hilary (Karyn Parsons) tries to hire Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell) away from her family. This is the first of three consecutive episodes in which series regulars Daphne Maxwell Reid (Vivian) and Ross Bagley (Nicky) do not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The proverbial tangled web of deceit proves to be all but inextricable when both Will (Will Smith) and Lisa (Nia Long) make up stories as to why they can't go out on a scheduled date. As "luck" would have it, both of them end up at the same party, and both have a lot of 'splainin' to do. But Will and Lisa's prevarications pale in comparison to the lie told by Ashley (Tatyana M. Ali), who is discovered dallying in a cloakroom with a football player when she's supposed to be somewhere else entirely. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

On the eve of his wedding to Lisa (Nia Long), Will (Will Smith) begins to wonder if he's ready for marriage. Oh, he still loves Lisa--but it has just dawned on him that he hardly knows the girl. Elswehere, Will's mom Vy (Vernee Watson-Johnson) and Lisa's dad Fred (John Amos) discover that they enjoy yelling at each other; and it's splitsville for Jazz (Jeff Townes) and his wife Jewel when he discovers her secret. This last episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's fifth season also marks the final series appearance of Nia Long. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Gallant Will (Will Smith) tries to defend Lisa (Nia Long) against a musclebound masher, only to be humiliated when Lisa uses her freshly acquired martial-arts moves to knock the interloper out! Desperate to regain his self-respect, Will conspires with Jazz (Jeff Townes) to impress Lisa by beating up a "thief" (actually you-know-who in disguise). Unfortunately, the plan backfires in the episode's double-twist finale. Karate Kid perennial Pat Morita appears in a significant cameo role, as does Major League Baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

John Amos makes his first series appearance as Fred Wilkes, the father of Will's current heartthrob Lisa (Nia Long). Anxious to make a good impression on Mr. Wilkes, Will (Will Smith) succeeds beyond his wildest dreams. In fact, Fred is so impressed by Will that he decides to move to LA and spend all his time with his future son-in-law--completely crowding Lisa out of the picture! And elsewhere, Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Ashley (Tatyana M. Ali) and Hilary (Karyn Parsons]) go to extreme lengths to find out who among them is their father's favorite child. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Queen Latifah makes her second series appearance, this time in the role of Dee-Dee, the full-figured relative of one of Uncle Philip's law partners. Although Will (Will Smith) discovers to his delight that he and Dee-Dee have a great deal in common, he is reluctant to invite her to a school dance because of his friends' derisive comments about the girl's weight. This episode marks the first appearance of Perry Moore as Tyriq; also, future series regular Nia Long, aka "Lisa Wilkes", shows up in a different role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This remake of Lewis Gilbert's 1966 film of the same name features Jude Law filling the shoes Michael Caine once wore in the title role of Alfie. As with the original, Law occasionally speaks directly to the camera while his character talks of the opposite sex. Under the direction of Charles Shyer, Alfie follows a charming, if morally lacking, womanizer from one bed to the next. While his actions arise more from nonchalance than malice, Alfie nonetheless faces a moral dilemma when considering that he's impregnated one of his latest girlfriends. Alfie also includes performances from Marisa Tomei, Susan Sarandon, and Nia Long. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide